Skakel v. Commissioner of Correction

After a jury trial in 2002, Petitioner was found guilty of the 1975 murder of his neighbor. Nearly eight years after his conviction and after Petitioner’s prior unsuccessful challenges to his conviction, Petitioner filed this habeas petition, claiming that his trial counsel rendered constitutionally ineffective assistance in several respects. The habeas court granted the petition, concluding that counsel was ineffective on three grounds. The Commissioner of Correction appealed. The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of the habeas court and remanded with direction to render judgment denying the petition, holding (1) the habeas court erred in concluding that Petitioner’s representation was ineffective for the three reasons previously identified; and (2) none of Petitioner’s alternative grounds for relief entitled Petitioner to habeas relief. View "Skakel v. Commissioner of Correction" on Justia Law